"But you, why aren't you in the capital? Why did you come here? You're a top scholar, you should be a fourth-rank official, why are you here as a schoolteacher?"
Cheng Yumo also found a seat and said, "My father is old and not suitable to stay in the court. He lives a life of intrigue and fear every day, so I came here."
"Since we're on the topic, let me tell you this: whatever I set my sights on, I'll get it no matter what. You'd better not try to take it from me."
Xiao Yubai was immediately displeased upon hearing his words and said, "We're not kids from twenty years ago anymore, so don't threaten people with words like that. Let me tell you, if I want something, I'll take it even if I have to."
"According to Madam An, you two have known each other for over ten years. But how come you still haven't managed to win him over? Is it because you're too old?"
Cheng Yumo wanted to scold him, but she thought it would be uncivilized, so she didn't say it. "It's true that we've known each other for a long time, but I hadn't figured out my own heart back then."
"What? You see clearly now? But it's too late." Xiao Yubai retorted without any politeness.
"Of course not, the former Mrs. Xia..."
"Mrs. Xia, don't you like Mrs. An?"
"When did I ever say I liked Madam An? Don't talk nonsense. Madam An is very beautiful, but I like Madam Xia." He was attracted by Madam Xia's cool and aloof temperament the first time he saw her.
At that time, he wasn't interested in romantic love, but later, because of Wen Liu and the others, he spent a lot of time with them and became attracted to them.
Sometimes, when I think about how I could possibly like a widow, I want to slap myself. She has grandchildren; how could I be so despicable as to have such thoughts?
But people are just like that; the more they don't want to think about something, the more they think about it, often causing them to lose sleep at night. That's why he thought that he shouldn't waste the rest of his life and came to express his feelings to Madam Xia.
But before he even reached the village, he started to have second thoughts. The woman there now had a grandson and was living a happy life, having everything she wanted. She was even a third-rank lady. He was just a teacher, with nothing to his name. Why would she like him?
So he decided to just waste the rest of his life instead of humiliating himself. After all, the most important thing for a person is to know their own limitations.
Xiao Yubai slapped his thigh, "So I made a mistake. I wasted so much of my time arguing with you."
If he had known that this old rascal was in love with Madam Xia, he would have applauded and offered advice.
Cheng Yumo gritted her teeth in anger, "It's all because you didn't explain yourself clearly. You have a mouth, but you just keep talking and you're an eyesore." After saying that, she went back to her room.
Seeing him return to his room, Xiao Yubai also went back to his own room, muttering curses all the while.
After An Shuyi and the others left, she went to the kitchen to take a hot shower. Although she hadn't done much that day, she still felt tired. It's true that you can't deny getting old.
"Huahua, if there are any similar events in the future, you have to handle them. I always end up doing it myself, and I've run out of topics to talk about."
Xia Hua nodded in agreement, but only she knew that it was impossible. Neither she nor Shu Shu were the kind of people who were very enthusiastic, and they would avoid dealing with people if they could.
If it can't be avoided, then it'll be Shushu's turn. Although Shushu doesn't like dealing with people either, there's no other way; one of the two of them has to come.
Seeing her nod, An Shuyi wasn't so upset anymore. This way, she could just slack off and let Hua Hua do everything.
After taking a bath, they found the hall had been cleaned up and the tables and chairs had been moved back. The two closed the courtyard gate and went to sleep.
"Village Chief Lin, why don't we see Madam An and Madam Xia? Did they go out on something?" Xiao Yubai and Cheng Yumo got up early and went to the canteen for breakfast after hearing the village bell.
I thought I would see the person I wanted to see, but I didn't, so I had to ask Village Chief Lin.
Village Chief Lin glanced at the two and said, "Dean Cheng, Young Master Xiao, my sister-in-law and the others are still resting. They won't get up at this time, probably not until noon. If you need anything, you can come to me, or I can ask Wen Liu to show you around the village, how about that?"
His two aunts wouldn't get up until noon unless there was something important to do, so if he needed to find them, he had to wait until noon.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yubai and Cheng Yumo realized there was such a thing, so they had no choice but to decline Village Chief Lin's suggestion and instead wandered around the village together.
When An Shuyi and Xia Hua woke up, it was almost noon. After washing up, they headed to the cafeteria and ran into two people coming this way. It turned out that these two hadn't left yet.
"Good morning, Madam An and Madam Xia!" the two greeted as they approached.
"Good morning, you two. You came from the cafeteria, it's almost time for breakfast. Have you had breakfast yet?" An Shuyi said.
"We've eaten, taken a walk around the village, and were just about to head to the house to see if you two were awake." I didn't expect them to be such heavy sleepers.
An Shuyi nodded, "Then let's go to the cafeteria for lunch. We both got up late, so please forgive us if we are not well taken care of."
“There’s nothing wrong with it. The village is great, and the villagers are great too,” Cheng Yumo said.
As they talked, they arrived at the canteen, where the food was already laid out. Village Chief Lin also came over to ring the bell. During the meal, Xiao Yubai and Cheng Yumo said their goodbyes.
They had originally thought that staying in the village would allow them to talk to the villagers, but now it seemed like wishful thinking. Besides, they had other things to do and couldn't stay there indefinitely.
An Shuyi nodded and did not try to stop them, saying, "You two can come often in the future."
Yes, it will.
After finishing their meal, the two rode away. An Shuyi breathed a sigh of relief as they left, finally relieved that she didn't have to entertain them anymore and didn't want to say any more polite words.
The next morning, after breakfast, she instructed Wenfan to change into something more presentable. She was taking him to Prefect Xiao's house today, and the first impression was very important. She also told them to go back and change into more elegant clothes and wear jewelry.
"Wood, have you put the things I asked you to prepare onto the carriage?"
Village Chief Lin nodded from the side, "Sister-in-law, it's already been put up, all wrapped up. You can rest assured about my handling of things. But sister-in-law, where are you going?"
An Shuyi turned to look at him, "Didn't I tell you?" He shook his head. "Wenfan, didn't you tell your village chief uncle?"
Wen Fan shook his head as well, "Replying to Auntie, I didn't say anything." How could you talk about something like this before it actually happened?
"Since you haven't said anything, then don't ask. I'll tell you when it's done. Go on with your work!" With that, he got into the carriage, ignoring the bewildered Village Chief Lin.
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